|
|
|
STEM News and Events
Greetings!
CCCOE STEM would like to welcome you back for the 2011-2012 school year. There are many events available for educators, students, and families. Please check out our calendar for more events. Stay up-to-date with STEM news and events in the Bay Area. Join our mailing list for regular e-blasts and special announcements
|
|
|
New K-12 Science Education Framework
| |
A Framework for K-12 Science Education
The National Research Council released its much anticipated report that presents a new framework for K-12 science education and identifies the key concepts and practices that all students should learn. A Framework for K-12 Science Education offers an new vision for K-12 education in science and engineering, and represents a significant shift in how these subjects are viewed and taught.
The framework will serve as the basis for the Next Generation Science Standards, a state-led effort managed by Achieve, Inc. The framework will also inform the work of curriculum and assessment developers, researchers, teacher educators, and others.
To download a copy of the framework, please visit this website.
|
|
Student Resources, Events, and Competitions
|
Challenge Your Students to Develop "Clean Technology"
This program is for middle and high school students, ages 13-18, who attend school in the San Francisco Bay Area. The NSTA/Applied Materials Clean Tech Competition, "Solar Solutions to the Rescue," offers a real-world problem to solve that demonstrates the powerful potential of clean technology. Teams of entrants will design a solar-powered solution to a basic human need identified in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Visit their website for more information.
|
|
Design Challenge at The Tech Museum
The Tech Challenge 2012: Shake, Rattle, and Rescue is an annual team design challenge for youth in grades 5 through 12 (three categories: Grades 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12). A signature program of The Tech Museum, the challenge introduces and reinforces the scientific process with a hands-on project geared to solve a real-world problem.
The months-long program culminates in The Tech Challenge Event Day. Team efforts are celebrated in an award ceremony recognizing everything from Best Overall Solution to Most Spectacular Failure.
Registration is now open. $40 per team registration fee. (Title 1 schools/after school programs are fee-waived.) For more information, visit their website.
|
|
Ten80 Student Racing Challenge: NASCAR STEM Initiative
The Ten80 Student Racing Challenge: NASCAR STEM Initiative is the "practice league" through which future engineers, scientists, marketing, and creative professionals actively embrace their present and prepare for their futures.
Students optimize performance of 1:10 scale radio-controlled cars, paralleling the activity in NASCAR garages across the country. Why motorsports? Because it is the only sport won or lost in real time by applying STEM and is a very diverse industry that employs people with a broad range of interests and skills.
For more information, visit their website.
|
|
Bay Area Science Festival: Unleash Your Inner Scientist
More than 200 science, technology, and engineering organizations from across the Bay Area will present the fun and excitement of science, through hands-on and interactive exhibits, science-themed performances and demonstrations, and family-oriented entertainment. The Bay Area Science Festival will also be offering three Discovery Days events (10/29, at Cal State East Bay-Hayward; 11/05, at Infineon Raceway; and Festival Finale 11/06, at AT&T Park).
For more information, visit their website.
|
|
Teacher Events / Curriculum / Professional Development
|
The Tech Museum, Learning Programs 2011-2012
The Tech Science Labs, Hands-On Science Workshops, gallery programs, and exhibit galleries are designed to spark fascination for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) through Design Challenge Learning. The Tech Museum offers a host of learning opportunities to enhance students' studies, including educational films in The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater. California K-12 School groups are admitted to the museum for free under our "Free Field Trips" program. All programs meet California Content Standards.
Free teacher memberships are available to all California K-12 public, private, home-school teachers, and principals.
To learn more about The Tech Museum and the its learning programs, contact them (408) 294-8324 or visit their website.
|
|
Southwest Airlines Adopt-A-Pilot Program (5th grade)
Southwest Airlines has announced the 2011 takeoff of its award-winning, educational and mentoring program: Adopt-A-Pilot. Each spring, fifth-grade students in more than 1,400 classes across the country will "adopt" Southwest Airlines pilots through a program that leads students through science, geography, math, writing, and other core subjects, all based in aviation-related activities. During the four-week long curriculum, pilots volunteer their time in participating classrooms and correspond from the "road" via email and postcards. Classrooms chart their adopted pilot's course on an official United States route map and complete lessons related to the pilot's monthly flying schedule.
More details about the program and educator resources are available online. |
|
Podcasts, Webinars, and other STEM Resources
| |
Thinkfinity.org
Thinkfinity.org offers thousands of free educational resources, including standards-based, grade-specific, K-12 lesson plans, engaging student interactive tools and more. Check out the professional development opportunities, including on-line courses and webinars.
|
|
|
60-Second Science
Tune in to 60-Second Science every weekday for quick reports and commentaries on the world of science--it'll just take a minute.
|
|
Annenberg Learner
Annenberg Learner uses media and telecommunications to advance excellent teaching in American schools. This mandate is carried out chiefly by the funding and broad distribution of educational video programs with coordinated website and print materials for the professional development of K-12 teachers. It is part of The Annenberg Foundation and advances the Foundation's goal of encouraging the development of more effective ways to share ideas and knowledge.
For more information, visit their website.
|
|
Lab Out Loud
Lab Out Loud is a podcast, hosted by two science teachers, that discusses science news and science education by interviewing leading scientists, researchers, science writers, and other important figures in the field.
|
|
AAAS Project 2061
The AAAS Project 2061 Science Assessment website provides free access to more than 600 assessment items. These items are appropriate for middle and early high school students. Developed with funding from the National Science Foundation, the AAAS Project 2061 assess students' conceptual understanding in the earth, life, and physical sciences, as well as the nature of science.
|
|
STEM Sources on Facebook
The California STEM Learning Network is a newly formed nonprofit organization focused on advancing STEM teaching and learning in the State of California. The Facebook page highlights policies and programs that enhance STEM education.
Gateways, as a regional Cradle to Career alliance, is part of a national movement in educational reform recognized by educators and policy makers alike as an innovative mechanism for bringing about systematic and systemic change through collective impact. The Gateways STEM education network brings together service providers and others engaged in STEM Education opportunities. Follow their Facebook page for events and programs happening in the Bay Area.
|
The CCCOE STEM enews will be published regularly, highlighting news, events, and resources that enhance STEM education for all students. If you received the STEM enews from a colleague, please join our mailing list to continue receiving updates. This publication does not signify the Contra Costa County Office of Education endorses the event or program mentioned.
For more information regarding CCCOE STEM, please visit our website.
Sincerely,
Hilary Haugen Dito
CCCOE STEM Coordinator
Associate Superintendent, Pamela Comfort, Ed.D.
925-942-3358
STEM Coordinator, Hilary Haugen Dito
925-942-3396
Published by the Communications Office of the Contra Costa County Office of Education
Layout/Design, Diane Morrell; Web Developer, Robin Wood;
Writer/Media Relations, Jonathan Lance
|
|
|
